View full sizePablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated PressMichelle Obama sits with Michael Prados, left, from Baton Rouge, and Ilianna Gonzales-Evans, right, from Washington, and others, during the first 'Kidsâ State Dinner' on Monday in the East Room of the White House.

Each winner, including Michael Prados, 12, of Baton Rouge, whose recipe for fish tacos was rated No. 1 in Louisiana by the judges, was introduced as would a head of state at a formal state dinner. Each child, and their adult escort -- for Michael Prados it was his grandfather -- walked across the tan and marble White House floor past a group of reporters and photographers.

Each child was introduced by name, along with the name of their escort and their winning food entry.

Prados sat at the head table next to Michelle Obama, who has been promoting healthy food choices for young people as the best way to reduce the nation's staggering obesity problem. He also shook hands with President Barack Obama.

"It was exciting to go to the White House and meet the president and first lady," Prados said as he waited for his flight back to Baton Rouge Monday afternoon. "I sat on her right side."

Prados and Michelle Obama stayed on topic. "We talked about healthy eating and physical activities for children and their parents," Prados said.

Prados also provided details on his winning fish taco recipe to an assistant White House chef. Who knows, Prado's fish tacos might soon be on the White House menu.

Prados's win can't be considered a surprise. He knows his way around good eating. After tasting some potato soup at a Chili's restaurant with his mom four years ago, he's been writing a blog of restaurant reviews on his own website.

Prados chose his grandfather, also named Michael, to join him at the White House dinner. As he explained it, his mom and dad both wanted to go and he didn't want it to come down to questions about which parent he loved most. So, he acted more like a politician and managed to avoid answering the question. "I decided to invite my grandfather," Prados aid.

The competition, sponsored by the Epicurious food website, drew 1,200 entrants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.

Michelle Obama thanked the parents of the winning children for allowing them to experiment as they came up with their winning recipes, which, under the rules, had to be both healthy and delicious.' "Thank you all for teaching your kids about healthy eating and nurturing that passion for cooking," she said. "And I want to thank you for the patience that you all have shown. I'm sure that there are some wrecked kitchens in this room. Sticky things, lots of stuff all over every place. Thank you for being patient and giving your children that sense of possibility to be able to do anything, even compete to win a recipe contest to be here at the White House."